Doesn't Recommend

julie a.

Joined 2 years ago

Unethical cancellation practices. I used to enjoy the group exercises classes at this gym. However, the previous reviewer is absolutely correct that X Shadyside's cancellation practices are unethical.

I cancelled my membership in person on September 27th, 2011. My debit card had recently been re-issued by my bank, so I owed a payment at that time. I made the payment that was owed, in person, when I cancelled my membership. I was not told I had to do anything else.

In late October, I recieved a bill from a company in Texas, stating that I owed $55 (my monthly fee). I immediately called the gym. A woman I spoke with checked my file and said she couldn't find anything showing I had cancelled my membership! I told her that I had done so in person, and she said a manager would call me.

Fast forward to early December, and no manager had yet called. I recieve another bill from the company in Texas saying I now owe $110. I call the gym again. I am again told that there is nothing showing I cancelled my membership, and that a manager will call! I explain that I was told that in late October.

This time, the manager of group exercise calls me. She eventually admits in an e-mail that I did cancel my membership in late September, but says the gym has a 30 day notice of termination provision, hence I owe $55. She tells me that although my account shows I owe $165, that it will be corrected if I pay $55 for the month of October.

I explained that I had been trying to obtain an explanation of the bill from the Texas company since late October and that no one at the gym could explain the bill, or would return my phone call! Rather, I was told I hadn't cancelled my membership! It's a little late in December to tell me that I was obligated to continue my membership through the end of October. For example, I may have actually used the gym in October if someone had bothered to mention at the time I cancelled that I was responsible for 30 more days of payment/membership.

What is worse, is that the manager of group fitness implied that my account balance would remain at $165 unless I paid the $55, even though she admitted that I did not owe $165.

I am a lawyer and I am familiar with debt collection law. In my opinion, these practices are unlawful and must stop. It's interesting to see another reviewer say he continued to be billed after he cancelled and was told it was because he didn't respond to phone calls offering services at reduced prices. That makes me believe that X Shadyside simply lies to its customers. Maybe they were lying to me when they strung me along for two months and told me they couldn't find anything showing I cancelled my membership?

Doesn't Recommend

flipflapjack

Joined 6 years ago

Good luck trying to cancel your membership. So after verbally canceling in August, and then physically canceling (and receiving confirmation of my cancellation) in early September, I was surprised to find another charge on my card for NOVEMBER. Why?

Because, at the X, apparently it's not enough to cancel twice. No, you also have to respond to the phone calls offering reduced priced training sessions as an enticement to stay. I had explained in August that I only needed the gym for the summer and then would have a free gym through school.When I emailed to question the charge for November, I was told that because I didn't respond to the offers for reduced services, my account was left open...despite the fact that my account termination request had been accepted months prior.

Which is total fraud. Thankfully my lawyer agrees.

The gym itself is great, new, clean, great machines...but their business ethics appear to have been drawn up while watching the Sopranos.

Doesn't Recommend

Lunesta

Joined 2 years ago

All That Glitters Isn't Gold. I joined this gym a few months ago. The location is good and when I joined there were a lot of renovations going on. Now the renovations are complete, and I can say that all that glitters isn't gold. When you go to work out, all of the cardio machines are downstairs and you have to go upstairs to check in. Once you do that you then have to walk back downstairs to work out. The front desk should be downstairs. When you are working out downstairs and there is a class going on upstairs, the ceiling shakes and makes horrible noises. When this is going on you are honestly fearful for your life. They offer some really good classes, but their studio is way too hot and the instructors can be hard to hear. The brand new spinning studio has horrible air circulation and is too hot as well. The fact that they decided to put carpeting in the new spin room is going to smell from all of the sweat and poor air circulation. They offered towel service when I joined, and then they just took that away. They did give us 1 towel to keep that I have to wash every time I go to work out. I can't imagine that it's really that costly to offer towels considering that it is a gym and its kind of like having napkins at McDonald's. If you are going to work out you are going to sweat. Just like when you go to McDonald's you may need to wipe your mouth. In conclusion, the facility updated the downstairs and it looks nice, they should do the same for the upstairs which now looks severely dated. The locker rooms are too small for the size of the facility. I would recommend other gyms over this one. The renovations seemed promising, but the finished product is disappointing. I will not be renewing at the end of my contract.

Recommends

CerenK

Joined 2 years ago

Member of 5 years. I've been an X member for about 5 years now and things just keep getting better and better. The class instructors and front desk staff are fabulous and I'm so anxious to see all the improvements after the renovations- it already looks so great!

Doesn't Recommend

secretmachine

Joined 2 years ago

GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. The gym was OK. Often the equipment was only available at off-peak hours. The classes I wanted to attend were so crowded you could barely move. Like the previous poster, when I tried to cancel my membership I was told by a staff member that everything was taken care of. I was charged for two more months and then noticed the charges on my card. I called their billing company who said I had to send a certified letter or I would keep being charged. Now, this is consistent with the cancellation policy so it is totally my fault. HOWEVER, the staff person told me incorrect information and when I called to speak with a manager and left messages no one EVER RETURNED MY CALL. I had the date, time of when I called and was given incorrect information. So, like most gyms, they make it difficult to cancel and the staff are not informed or are instructed to lie so that they can get more $$ for the owners. Also, very UNPROFESSIONAL of the manager not to call me back after multiple phone calls.

Recommends

michelle sullivan

Joined 2 years ago

great gym. i have been a member for six months now, i find the gym to be very clean, the employees and instructors are very outgoing, easy to get along with, and make time fly during the classes. All the classes that they offer, you do an extreme workout. i reccommend this gym for anyone who wants to get fit while enjoy doing so.

Recommends

troy43

Joined 2 years ago

Awesome Gym. I've been a member of X now for over a year. I love all the additional programs offered, lookin forward to participating in the Biggest Loser challenge they are offering. The personal trainers are great, my trainer helped me reach my goal of running a marathon last year for first time. The cardio equipment w/ tv's made my training time go by super fast. Looking forward to the upcoming renovations and smoothie bar.. The X is great place to work out in a relaxed atmosphere.

Recommends

kaka0810

Joined 3 years ago

Awesome classes and staff!. I just joined X over the summer and it is the best gym I've belonged to. Everytime I go in to work out, the girls at the desk are always smiling and so friendly. Other gyms I've belonged to I was lucky if they would even look at me as I walked in. I like some of the new equipment they recently got in but I really love the classes! My favorite right now is bodypump, bodyattack and spinning. Since I started taking these classes I've lost almost 15 pounds. I also read a review that the gym charges for spinning so I was excited when I joined to learn that they don't and all classes are included. The instructors also make it feel like you're not exercising...it's more like a party. :) I would definitely recommend this club to anyone that lives in the area and is looking for a great place to work out.

Recommends

RKNCPGH

Joined 3 years ago

Best Group Classes in the Area. I recently moved to Pittsburgh and was looking for a new gym that offered great classes. Before I moved, my gym offered the Les Mills programs like Bodypump, Bodyattack, etc...and those were of most interest to me. X Shadyside has the most Les Mills programs in the area and I think that their instructors are great. In addition to the classes, I like the size of the gym (not too big) and the staff have been great so far. I have read some of the other reviews about X, and I have never seen people waiting around for equipment, and I have not found the facilities to be dirty. If you are looking for a gym in the area, this is the place to go.

Recommends

aolivez2

Joined 4 years ago

X gym: good, and getting better. I've been a member at X for 2 years now, and have been consistently happy with their service. A two-story gym conveniently located at Walnut and Ivy in Shadyside, they offer cardio room with treadmills and ellipticals (1st fl) and a few machines (bike, step) plus a large weights/free weights area (2nd fl). Membership is flexible (I pay $55 month-to-month, with no-penalty cancellation at any time; you can also put your membership "on hold' for up to 3 months consecutive if you're going to be out of town or whatever) and includes towel service. Also included are a wide variety of fitness classes, including Pilates, yoga, spinning and various Les Mills brand classes, which take place in a large front room or a smaller studio in the back.

The large number of classes plus the fact that it's open 24hours Mon-Friday (when closing time is 9 pm) makes it convenient and easy to work out (no more excuses!). A staff member is always present during business hours, but otherwise traffic in and out is not monitored. All you gotta do is swipe your keycard before/after working out. I have found the service friendly and helpful: one time I even lost my keycard but they let me work out any way, and didn't even charge me the standard $5 replacement charge!

The X gym is going through renos right now, which will bring some changes, so this review might have to get updated. I personally am hoping to see some recycling bins around (no recycling yet). The owner/manager was responsive to my eco-suggestion, however, and hopefully will green operations soon.